This
book is essential reading for any journalist who works - or wishes
to work - in radio. It covers every aspect of the profession, from
journalistic practice to media law and gives detailed instruction on
the techniques of editing and using equipment, and on the basic
skills of writing, reporting and producing. A legal section outlines
the pitfalls of libel and contempt and shows the main restrictions on
reporting, particularly during elections. There is also a whole
chapter dedicated to advice on court reporting.

Written
from a practitioner's standpoint, this is the perfect handbook for
anyone involved at any level in commercial or local radio. A classic
training manual in the profession, the book was originally written by
Linda Gage, former Head of Training at LBC. This edition has been
fully revised and updated by Marie Kinsey, Head of Broadcast
Journalism at the Northern Media School, Sheffield Hallam University,
and Lawrie Douglas, a freelance producer, editor and trainer.

The
techniques described in the book now cover the latest in commercial
radio production and show how working practices have been affected by
new technology including:

digital
recording and editing

use
of minidisc portable recorders

using
the Internet as a source

effect
of digital radio on the World Wide Web

The
book also includes:

the
latest legal practices, including Scottish and European Law

advice
on court reporting

more
on programme production: phone-ins etc.

John
Perkins, Managing Director, IRN writes:"Radio
- BBC and commercial is a booming industry which attracts hundreds
of aspiring journalists each year who want to get on the airwaves.
Relatively few succeed and the difference between success and failure
in most cases is an adequate understanding of exactly what the job entails.

Linda
Gage's book is a valuable starting point for anyone who wants to
make radio their career. It lays out in a practical and easy to
understand way what it takes to make the grade as a good radio
journalist - with the emphasis on the word 'good'. It is the sort of
book I wish had been available when I started out in radio back in
1975 when you learned by your mistakes, which were often inflicted on
the poor listener. Learning 'on the job' in this way may have
been acceptable then but has no place in the sophisticated world of
modern broadcasting.

Linda
herself was a first class radio journalist who had the gift of
passing on her knowledge of others. She was also an honest person,
which is why this book pulls no punches and leaves the would-be radio
journalist under no illusions as to what is required.

There
are no signs of any slowdown in the number of new radio stations
coming on air - just the opposite in fact - and there will therefore
continue to be an increasing demand for journalists to produce the
news and information which research consistently shows to be the most
important ingredient in the radio mix. We should be grateful for this
new edition of Linda's book, which will be required reading for many
years to come."

The
second edition of "A Guide to Commercial Radio Journalism"
by Linda Gage is available direct from the Linda Gage Memorial Trust
for £18.99 (inc. postage and packing).

The first
edition of Linda Gage's book, "A
Guide to Independent Radio Journalism" was
published by Duckworth in 1990. This was at the time when she was
Head of Training at LBC. It covered every aspect from journalistic
practice to media law.

Detailed
instruction is given on the technique of editing tape and using
equipment, and on the basic skills of writing, reporting and
producing. The legal section outlines the pitfalls of libel and
contempt, showing the main restrictions on reporting, particularly
during elections.

Written from a
practitioner's standpoint, this is the perfect handbook for anyone
involved at any level in commercial or local radio.

The Rt. Hon.
Christopher Chataway, then Chairman of Crown Communications,
wrote at the time:

"Linda Gage has
proved herself to be an outstanding trainer of radio journalists. In
this book she sets out succinctly and clearly the information and
advice that will be needed by any aspiring radio reporter. As the
radio industry expands in Britain more good journalists are going to
be required. For almost every radio station an essential ingredient
of success will be a fast, lively honest news service. Already there
is a shortage of competent professionals. The standards of reporting
and interviewing are distinctly uneven.

So this is a timely and
important book. Having started my broadcasting life as an untrained
newscaster and television reporter, I can recognise all sorts of
mistakes that I might not have made had I been able to read this
book. I have no doubt that it will prove invaluable to many radio
journalists and that it will help create a standard of vigorous and
respected radio reporting up and down the country".